Jannik Sinner avoided the fate of her main rivals and reached the fourth round of the US Open, while fellow top seed Iga Swiatek gained momentum in her quest for a sixth Grand Slam title after a pep talk from Serena Williams.
With defending champion Novak Djokovic forced to retire following a shock loss to Alexei Popyrin in the third round on Friday and another title contender, Carlos Alcaraz, beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round a day earlier, all eyes were on Sinner.
The Italian, who has endured intense scrutiny following a doping controversy in the build-up to the tournament, defeated Christopher O'Connell 6-1 6-4 6-2 on Saturday to underline his credentials as the clear favourite at the year's final major.
“This sport is unpredictable, isn’t it? Whenever you drop your level a little bit, whether it’s mental, tennis or physical, it has a big impact on the result,” Sinner said of the exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz.
“Both opponents they lost to played incredible tennis. And that happens.
“So I just look at what I have to do, you know, I guess I've done it, and then we'll see what I can do.”
The Australian Open champion's next opponent will be Tommy Paul, who is among a group of players eager to end a 21-year American wait for a home-grown major winner since Andy Roddick claimed the title in New York.
Paul, the 14th seed, recovered from a first-set wobble to overcome Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7(5) 6-3 6-1 7-6(3) and was hoping to counter Sinner's “bang-bang tennis” when they met.
“He’s probably the best hitter on the tour and I’m not,” Paul said. “I don’t want to face him in the backline. I want to try and mix things up.”
Paul's compatriot and sixth seed Jessica Pegula advanced in the women's draw with a 6-3 6-3 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, but Ashlyn Krueger fell 6-1 6-1 to Liudmila Samsonova.
7 American singles players enter the second week of the @usopen 🔥💪🇺🇸 image.twitter.com/xcv01ADQ6a
— USTA (@usta) August 31, 2024
Serena inspires Swiatek
French Open champion Swiatek then defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-2 with a near-flawless performance after a chat with Williams, a 23-time major winner, who returned to the US Open as a fan after stepping away from tennis in 2022.
“It was really nice to see her. She has a lot of positive energy. It’s nice that she came to the venue and was chatting with the players,” said a dazzled Swiatek.
“It was nice that she approached me, because I certainly wouldn’t have the courage to do it if it were the other way around. But yes, she is very nice and very positive.
“I’m glad she follows tennis and my game, because she told me she’s cheering me on.”
Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini beat Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-4 as the petite Italian continued to fly under the radar, although she could face a major hurdle as she next faces Czech Karolina Muchova.
Muchova, who is regaining her best form after 10 months out with a wrist injury, beat Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-2.
Australian Alex de Minaur's injury problems are more recent but the 10th seed shrugged off a frustrating hip problem that has dogged him since Wimbledon to overcome Britain's Dan Evans 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-0, 6-0.
Evans beat Karen Khachanov in the longest US Open match of the professional era on Tuesday, lasting five hours and 35 minutes, but ultimately ran out of steam.
Caroline Wozniacki showed she still had plenty to give upon her return in 2023 following a three-year break following the birth of her two children, as the 34-year-old Dane easily overcame Jessika Ponchet 6-3 6-2.
Here's what the top half of the women's singles tournament looks like heading into the fourth round: photo.twitter.com/1AzQIL4V0y
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2024
Britain's Jack Draper, who is carrying the torch for his nation following Andy Murray's retirement this summer, beat Van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Daniil Medvedev, the only former New York champion left in the men's draw, easily beat Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 and set out to go all the way, as he did in 2021.
“It's the only Grand Slam where I have that chance,” fifth seed Medvedev said.
“I certainly didn’t expect to have this in the fourth round when Novak and Carlos are here. It’s a fun feeling on one hand, but on the other hand it’s a new tournament.
“I need to play my best to try to win it again.”
With eyes on the prize 🤩@DaniilMedwed He beats Cobolli 6-3, 6-4 and 6-3.@usopen | #USOpen photo.twitter.com/v9icT62mh0
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 1, 2024
